초록 ▼

Disclosed are fastener assemblies in which the fastener is captivated in a channel member and is removable through the opening between inturned flange edges of the channel member. Embodiments of a nut retainer assembly and a bolt retainer assembly are disclosed as is an embodiment of a complementary

Disclosed are fastener assemblies in which the fastener is captivated in a channel member and is removable through the opening between inturned flange edges of the channel member. Embodiments of a nut retainer assembly and a bolt retainer assembly are disclosed as is an embodiment of a complementary clamping system utilizing a nut retainer assembly and a bolt retainer assembly. In order to facilitate insertion of a fastener through the opening between inturned flange edges of the channel member, at least one of the flats of the base of the fastener includes an inclined portion. Further, in order to facilitate removal of a captivated fastener, at least one of the flats of the base of the fastener includes a cut-out or recessed portion which with the inturned flange edge forms a slot suitable for receiving the tip of a screwdriver. Pivoting the screwdriver in cooperation with the recessed portion of the flat causes outward, elastic flexing of a flange portion to enable the base of the fastener to be moved through the opening between the inturned flange edges, and thus removed from captivation in the channel member. A fastener base is inserted into the channel member through the opening by positioning the fastener base with one flat in the channel member and with the inclined portion of the other flat resting on an inturned flange edge. Force is applied to the fastener base which in cooperation with the inclined flat portion flexes elastically the flange portion of the channel member outwardly to enable the fastener base to be moved through the opening.

대표청구항 ▼

A fastener assembly comprising a channel member having a web portion and two spaced flange portions extending from a same side of the web portion, each of the flange portions including an edge turned in towards the other flange portion, the inturned flange edges being spaced apart to define an openi

A fastener assembly comprising a channel member having a web portion and two spaced flange portions extending from a same side of the web portion, each of the flange portions including an edge turned in towards the other flange portion, the inturned flange edges being spaced apart to define an opening therebetween into the channel member, at least one fastener having opposed spaced apart faces and a pair of opposed side surfaces extending between the opposed faces defining a base which is disposed in the channel member between the web portion and the inturned flange edges thereof, the channel member and the fastener base being configured and sized so that the fastener base when disposed in the channel member between the web portion and the inturned flange edges of the channel member is captivated therein while having limited movement relative to the channel member, configuration associated with the fastener base for facilitating insertion of the base into the channel member through the opening comprising an inclination of at least a portion of at least one of the side surfaces at an obtuse angle with the face of the fastener base facing the web portion when the base is disposed in the channel member such that the distance between side surfaces along said one face of the fastener base facing the web portion is less than the corresponding distance along the other face of the fastener base, said distances along opposed faces and said opening being selected so that the fastener base can be inserted into the channel member with a side surface thereof disposed between one inturned flange edge and the web portion of the channel member and the inclined portion of the opposed side surface resting on the opposed inturned flange edge, the rigidity of the flange portions, said opening and said distances along the fastener faces being further selected so that the fastener base can be inserted into the channel member through said opening to seat both side surfaces disposed below respective inturned flange edges upon the application of a predetermined relatively small force which flexes elastically at least one of the flange portions, and configuration associated with the fastener base for facilitating removal of the base from the channel member through the opening.